Fostering Nurse Retention Through Community Integration.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Studies

Background:

• The aging global population increases demand for long-term care (LTC) services.
• Recruiting and retaining qualified nursing staff is a significant challenge in LTC, mirroring issues in acute care.
• Effective strategies are needed to ensure adequate nursing presence in LTC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore fundamental factors that support and impede nurse retention in long-term care settings.
• To provide insights for administrators seeking to improve nursing staff stability in LTC.
• To identify key tenets for fostering a positive and sustainable nursing work environment in LTC.

Main Methods:

• This article presents a qualitative exploration of retention factors.
• It synthesizes existing knowledge on nursing retention within the LTC context.
• The focus is on identifying foundational principles affecting nurse turnover and longevity.

Main Results:

• Several factors foster retention, including supportive work environments and professional development opportunities.
• Hindrances to retention include inadequate staffing ratios, limited career advancement, and insufficient compensation.
• Workplace culture and leadership significantly impact nurses' decisions to stay in LTC.

Conclusions:

• Administrators must implement innovative strategies to attract and retain nurses in LTC.
• Addressing core issues like workload, compensation, and professional growth is crucial for LTC nurse retention.
• Fostering a supportive and valued environment is essential for the long-term stability of the nursing workforce in LTC.